Good Samaritans

Pay it forward…pay it back…we’ll be helpful anyway

Last Sunday I pulled into Sharbot Lake Gas Station to fill up my windshield washer fluid. Imagine my surprise when my engine was smoking and it wasn’t a hot day in Sharbot Lake. Mr. Basra, the proprietor, was kind and sent out Ray to take a look. This story could be a long one. I was driving from Ottawa to Toronto and the four and a half hours was going to be long enough and I didn’t want any hold ups. Time moves differently in Sharbot Lake and everybody seemingly has time for everyone. Had I walked into an episode of Corner Gas?

Two hours later we admitted we were beaten. Ray had given me two hours of his time. He had struggled with the screwdriver and I had held the flashlight. He had demonstrated his wit, sense of humour and his dexterity with the vernacular as well as his mechanical expertise.

Stranded in Sharbot Lake. No Way. It was a great afternoon. I learned a lot. Everybody came out to help. Les told me the story of his life helping people with his tow truck. Mike offered sound advice on what I should best do and Mr. Ray Fletcher was just the Good Samaritan.

It's people like the ones I met yesterday that we need more of in this world. Thanks, everyone

- John Turner, Toronto

Re: Salmon River

Your coverage from the Central Frontenac Council meeting of January 23 states that The Friends of the  Salmon River received two grants for environmental assessment of the Salmon watershed.

I failed to make clear that the actual recipient of those funds from the Canada-Ontario Agreement was the Stewardship Councils. The Friends of the Salmon River supported the Stewardship Councils and was a partner in accomplishing the work.

- Gray Merriam, president

Friends of the Salmon River

Open Letter to Reeve Kerr, Tay Valley Township Council, and area residents:

My question at all candidates meeting last fall: Do you think that the people of Bathurst Burgess Sherbrooke wanted their name changed to the current name, Tay Valley Township?

My answer: The people did NOT want this name change. I think this is the general consensus (Public meeting, newspaper reports, letters, and conversation).

The Geographical Names Board of Canada recommends names with “long-time local usage by the general public” or new names pertaining to local history (pioneers, war dead, aboriginals, and people associated with historical events).

Bathurst, Burgess, and Sherbrooke have been in local usage since the settling of the townships (land records, births, deaths, marriages, school records, township records, and newspaper items). The names, particularly of Henry Bathurst who was the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, reflect the events and reasons that this area was settled. Tay Valley does not have local usage as the name of a populated place.

In 1816 the Scotch Line pioneers arrived followed by soldiers of the De Watteville regiment. Irish immigrants left a troubled homeland. The military settlers represented many regiments, the navy, and many nationalities (English, Scottish, Irish, German, French, and others). Most fought in the War 1812. Many fought in the Napoleonic wars. Some were Loyalists. Tay, a Scottish name, is not reflective of this diverse group of first settlers.

Naming is not about creating a new name to attract tourists. The township has another tourist signage project to tell tourists about our history. I suggest that heritage begins at home. If the township wants to preserve and promote our heritage, then I advocate that residents and council have the courage to restore the name “Bathurst Burgess Sherbooke”, and then proudly tell our story.

Catherine McCann (Bathurst)

Smoking mad

I get so mad I want to scream when I see any teenager smoking. It could be stopped, or certainly curbed, if we could do the following:

Adult smokers should have to get an ‘Addiction Card’ from their doctor and have to show it every time they buy smokes. Whenever a teenager is caught with tobacco, they would be fined $100 if they reveal where they got the product, or $250 if they fail to reveal their source. Then the adult would have to give up their card and pay the $250 fine. Of course, if bought in a store, the fine needs to be huge. (The Addiction Card would need a photo).

All the money from the fines should go to OHIP – which is where we all have to pay for their smoking, anyway.

- Carmel Gowan.